United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Aer Lingus quits Oneworld
Aer Lingus is to leave the Oneworld alliance but will retain bilateral links with a number of member airlines.
A spokesman for the alliance said Aer Lingus, currently the smallest airline in Oneworld, was leaving because its strategy no longer fits with the other members.
“Aer Lingus’ strategy has changed fundamentally since it joined the alliance six years ago and is no longer convergent with Oneworld’s,” he said.
“The alliance’s key target market is the multi-sector, premium, frequent international traveller, while Aer Lingus has repositioned itself as a low fares point-to-point carrier.”
The exact timing of its withdrawal will be decided at the next meeting for the alliance’s Governing Board but it is likely to be in early 2007.
By then, three new recruits – Japan Airlines, Malev Hungarian and Royal Jordanian – will be part of the group, increasing its capacity by more than 20%.
Oneworld said talks are progressing with other airlines interested in joining.
Aer Lingus is in discussions with various members about retaining strong bilateral links with them and intends to conclude these agreements before it leaves.
It said it has no intention of joining another global alliance.
Oneword said Ireland will remain part of the network through services operated by the alliance’s other member airlines.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Florida’s Tourism Boom: Dana Young Analyzes Surge in UK Visitors
Elliott Ferguson’s Vision: Elevating Washington DC’s Global Appeal
Empowering Travel Agents and Tour Operators: A Conversation with Go Nexus Group President
Expedia TAAP incorporates AI for their 100,000 registered agents
Travefy CEO & Founder Talks About Their Itinerary Management For Travel Professionals
MMGY’s Jonathan Sloan: A Tale of Triumph Amidst Adversity
Unlocking Opportunities: Viator Empowers Travel Agents with Innovative Tools and Expansive Offerings
Kazakhstan Explored: A Journey into the Unknown
Behind the Scenes of Vegas Tourism: Kelly Messina’s Insider Perspective
Preserving Mexico’s Beauty: A Conversation with Doris Patiño from Xcaret
Easton Wasinger Unveils Trawick: Affordable Travel Insurance with Exceptional Service
Deleted video
BA flight attendant taken off duty after boozy altercation
Passenger attempts suicide on Bangkok-London flight
Ship crew member arrested after stabbing attack
Report: Viking Sky outage could have been ‘one of the worst disasters at sea’
Spain hits Booking.com with record €530 million fine